On the 25th Anniversary of the Access to Information Act (Office of the Information Commissioner)

On the 25th Anniversary of the Access to Information Act:
Ottawa, Ontario

[2008-7-1]

Ottawa, July 1, 2008 - This Canada Day marks the 25th anniversary of
the adoption of a landmark piece of legislation that is today under
more intense scrutiny and examination than ever before. On July 1,
1983, the Access to Information Act formalized Canadian's right to
information held by federal institutions. The date also marked the
establishment of the Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada.

Freedom of information is central to achieving transparent and open government.
Robert Marleau, Canada's Information Commissioner, salutes the work of
his three predecessors and the corps of professional investigators and
lawyers who "individually and collectively, significantly contributed
to the development of access to information over the past quarter
century".

However, as the Act celebrates its silver jubilee, it is time to
assess whether the complete federal access to information regime fits
the times. "We strongly need to modernize all aspects of the regime,
namely the culture, the administration and the legislation" says the
Commissioner, "to promote open, effective and accountable government
in a way that truly serves the public interest." This will only happen
with bold political leadership.

Over the coming months, the Office will continue to raise awareness
about access to information issues through a series of events, public
discussion and debates, starting with an open dialogue on the
modernization of the federal access to information regime and followed
in the fall with the national Right to Know Week from September 29 to
October 3, and a Special Report to Parliament.

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More information about the open dialogue on the modernization of the
federal access to information regime and web-based consultations.

For general enquiries, please visit our website at www.infocom.gc.ca or contact:
Office of the Information Commissioner
613-995-2410
Toll free: 1-800-267-0441
TDD (hearing impaired): 613-947-0388
general@infocom.gc.ca

For media inquiries please contact:
Nadine Welter
Senior Communications Officer
Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada
Tel: 613 996-6955

http://news.gc.ca/web/view/en/index.jsp?articleid=408439&categoryid=1&category=News+Releases